Ottawa urges airlines to stop bumping passengers

MONTREAL — The federal transport minister is urging the country’s airlines to live up to the spirit of its passenger bill of rights legislation, even before it comes into force as expected next year.

Marc Garneau called on airline executives at a closed-door meeting to ensure children can be seated next to a parent at no extra charge and voluntarily stop removing passengers from full flights against their will.

“I sense a very constructive approach from the point of view of the industry,” he said after the meeting that attracted almost 30 airline, airport and tourism officials.

The bill introduced last week is part of a set of amendments to the Canada Transportation Act that also raises the cap on foreign ownership in airlines and requires railways to install voice and video recorders in locomotives.

The new rules would also set minimum levels of compensation for people who voluntarily agree to be bumped from a flight and force airlines to establish clear standards of treatment and compensation for circumstances such as lost or damaged luggage, delays while sitting on the tarmac and other non-weather related issues.

Garneau also urged the travel industry to get ready for the changes by preparing to update their websites, technologies and internal policies.

Air Canada said it told the minister that it already complies “in large measure to his requests, for example regarding children seat assignments,” but didn’t specifically say if it will alter its bumping policies.

“We are looking forward to participating in the consultation process relating to the new regulations over the coming months,” said Air Canada spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur.

WestJet, which does not deliberately overbook its flights, said it is reviewing its policies on child seating and expects to announce details soon.

With passenger numbers expected to continue growing, the Canadian Airports Council said service level standards need to be established and appropriate funding given to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.